how did this even happen...

[mooneye]

It wasn't a bad sort of place. Lots of things to do and people to see. Plenty of freedom to dart over the rooftops and down the alleys--or out of the village and into the woods and rocky wild places beyond. Obito liked Michi no Sato.

He had stopped for lunch and was eating at a table outside the restaurant, watching people walk past. The food was good. The cold breeze was nice. Ah, yes. Years and years trapped in a cave with a crazy old man and a bunch of plant monsters--it had left him really able to appreciate the little things.

[ooc: here is an AU Obito in his twenties. Got through the time with Madara, and Rin's death, but didn't go completely evil after all of it...]

Comments

[mooneye]

"Your father. Ah." Obito was sympathetic. "It was difficult enough to talk to Fugaku before..." he doesn't quite finish. "And Minato? Huh. So not just the recent dead, then. Potentially there could be... anyone, I guess."

He moved his head from side to side, testing. Then pulled the braid over his shoulder and stroked it once, feeling the soft plaits of it. It really was more out of the way now. "This is better. Much better. Thank you, little cousin."

[youngesthokage]

He hesitated for a beat, then stepped to loop his arms around his shoulders, resting his cheek on top of his head, voice a murmur. "You're welcome Obito-nii-sama."

[mooneye]

Obito reached up and and took hold of Itachi where he could reach him, gently holding onto him and shutting his eye, breathing in. Peaceful, for a moment.

[youngesthokage]

"And to think I thought I was simply failing at manners when I caught myself staring at you." His lips quirked, amusement heavy in his tone.

[mooneye]

"I'm glad you stopped. You might have just slipped by and then I'd never have known."

[youngesthokage]

He gave a nod and squeezed his shoulders, tone turning more amused. "I should probably stop leaning on you, shouldn't I?"

[mooneye]

"I like it. This kind of thing is nice." He loosened his own gentle hold a bit though, so that Itachi could draw away if he wanted to.

[youngesthokage]

"I still haven't ordered anything." He glanced to Obito's empty cup. "And if you're still thirsty I'm keeping you from getting more."

[mooneye]

"Ah, don't worry, I don't actually need to eat or anything, this is just for fun." That odd bit shared quite casually. "But you should order! I'll get something more to drink, sure. How long's it been since we sat down together for a meal?"

[youngesthokage]

"Thirteen years." It was said without a bit of hesitation as he slowly released him to return to his chair.

[mooneye]

Obito watched him. "I think sometimes about what things might have been like if it hadn't ever happened. The rocks I mean, and then... being away. I don't know. At least it was no longer than thirteen years." He raised a hand and snapped his fingers at a passing waiter.

[youngesthokage]

When the waiter arrived he put in his order and gave a small smile before turning back to Obito. "Yes, well... I get the sense that for me it simply wouldn't have happened."

He paused for a beat, a tiny frown touching his face before it was gone again.

[mooneye]

Obito nodded. In truth he isn't sure things could have gone any other way. What happened felt like what had to happen, a lot of the time. But then, this place was evidence enough that events could turn in all sorts of ways.

He caught the little frown. "Hm?" Just a small, questioning sound.

[youngesthokage]

"Just... a thought I don't like the feel of, that's all." It was a murmur and he shook his head. "You said that there were other yours who took a bloodier path..." He hesitated for a moment more. "Are they going by Madara?"

[mooneye]

The name made him tense up. A lot. After a moment it passed--he sat back, relaxed again, though the look he cast sideways was a bit dark. "I believe so," he said. "Or... another name, maybe. But yeah. Mostly that one."

[youngesthokage]

"Oh." He stared down at the table for a long moment at that and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Okay. That... I get it now." He straightened and looked back to him, meeting his eye again with ease. "I think I was happier before I realized that, but it doesn't matter, it's not you."

[mooneye]

Obito's gaze snapped up and he gave him an intent, somber look. "So you've met one then," he mused. "What happened?"

[youngesthokage]

"Only seen briefly, but I expect I haven't heard the last from him. Just before the... initial execution orders I got a letter saying that if I needed help with anything, he'd be more than happy to deal with it." He shuddered a little and shook his head sharply. "Considering this was the same evening Shisui died, I wasn't exactly doubtful of the meaning. The situation was... much. I managed to break out of it by going to the Hokage but..." He shook his head. "I know of the other possibility in -great detail-."

[mooneye]

Obito watched him closely while he listened. At the end he leaned forward over the table, lacing his fingers and resting his chin on them. Easy, but for the first time since they had sat down together--with a sort of edge to him. Something that was not evil exactly, but strange, dangerous and deep. The tomoe seal in the one eye twitched, just a little. "He wants to destroy everything. And not just destroy, but make it like it never was. Don't trust him."

[youngesthokage]

"I never did." His voice was a murmur, and he shook his head. "I never had any urge to." He took a breath, holding his gaze. "I'm glad I didn't know."

[mooneye]

"Me too." Obito sat back again, taking a breath and sighing. He shook his head, just one quick jerk sideways like he was trying to banish a bad thought.

[youngesthokage]

Deciding he didn't like that look on Obito's face, he reached across the table, leaning on it with his other hand as he touched his cheek, smoothing away the fierce lines.

[mooneye]

For just a moment he still seemed distant. Like he was seeing something else, listening to something else. But the touch drew him back, and when he looked up it was a bit like he was coming awake. An instant of disorientation, and then a smile. Ah, yes. This was where he was, and who he was.

"The scars don't bother you?" he asked, curious.

[youngesthokage]

He blinked at the question, honestly bewildered. "Should they? I'm not happy you have them, but they're nothing to be ashamed of."

[mooneye]

"I'm not ashamed. It's just, they bother some people, is all." He reached up and put his hand over Itachi's, just briefly.